The chemical reactions and pathways resulting in the breakdown of 2-oxobutyrate, the anion of the organic acid 2-oxobutyric acid, which contains a ketone group on carbon 2. [ https://www.worldcat.org/search?q=bn%3A0198506732 ]
Synonyms: 2-oxobutyrate degradation 2-oxobutyrate catabolism 2-oxobutyrate breakdown alpha-ketobutyrate catabolism alpha-ketobutyrate catabolic process